Peripheral Vascular Disease Treatment in India

John Reddy, a 62-year-old retired postal...

John Reddy, a 62-year-old retired postal worker and avid gardener, had been noticing increasing pain in his calves after just a few minutes of walking for over a year. The pain, which he initially dismissed as arthritis, forced him to stop and rest frequently. His toes often felt cold, and a small sore on his left ankle wasn't healing. His primary doctor, concerned about John's history of type 2 diabetes and smoking (he quit five years prior), referred him to a cardiologist. The cardiologist diagnosed severe Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) in his left leg, with a critical blockage. He recommended an urgent peripheral angioplasty and stent placement to restore blood flow and prevent potential amputation. John was terrified of surgery but even more scared of losing his leg and his ability to tend his garden. The procedure itself, done through a small puncture in his groin, was painless under sedation. Waking up, he was immediately aware of a warm feeling returning to his foot. The recovery involved a night in the hospital and careful monitoring of the puncture site. Within weeks, he could walk around his neighborhood without the crippling pain. Emotionally, he shifted from a state of fearful resignation and frustration over his declining mobility to profound relief and gratitude. He felt he had regained his independence and his cherished connection to his garden, viewing the procedure not just as saving his leg, but his passion and purpose in retirement.